National property planning consultant DPP has reviewed the report by the DCLG Select Committee into the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which was released today. The firm has a number of concerns regarding the interpretation of its recommendations and the potential impact this may have on clients.
Bob Robinson, Chairman at DPP, commented:
“Whilst DPP welcomes the endorsement of the presumption in favour of sustainable development along with the necessary clarification of what is meant by sustainable development, we are concerned that the Select Committee has sought to develop this further by placing the burden of proof upon the applicant. To my mind this represents a reinterpretation of the Practitioners Advisory Group (PAG) recommendation which the Select Committee claim to have supported and presents a general barrier to development which actually exceeds that in place at present.
I am also concerned that whilst the Select Committee recognises the need for Local Plans to be in place, there appear to be no penalties in place for those planning authorities who continue to drag their heels often to avoid making what they know will be politically difficult decisions on the scale and location of development. The ability to then in turn hide behind the ‘burden of proof’ argument to further stall development where politically expedient to do so will bring further delay and cost to the development process.”
DPP is at the forefront of all planning matters regardless of size, scale, location or asset type. For further information on how we can help you maximise the value of your assets, contact Bob Robinson.
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About DPP
DPP is a top ten town planning consultancy providing strategic advice to the a range of clients. DPP's chartered planners, sustainability, heritage and design experts work with developers, landowners, business operators and public sector bodies, offering services relating to the development and use of land. The firm operates in all development sectors with a particular presence in residential, retail, regeneration, mixed uses, business and commercial. DPP is committed to maintaining the qualities that separate us from our competitors, as well as continuing to enhance our established reputation for providing high quality, efficient and cost-effective services while helping clients reach their planning and development objectives.
Clients of DPP include Bellway Homes Ltd, Derwent Holdings, Caffé Nero, Centros, Domino's Pizza, English Heritage, Invensys, Liberty Properties, Liverpool Land Development Company, Mercian Developments, The Ministry of Justice, Shell International, Taylor Wimpey, Tesco Stores, Unilever Pension Fund Trustees, United Utilities, the Watkin Jones Group and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Contact
Ceri Edwards, Redwood Consulting
Tel: 020 7828 5553
Email: ceri@redwoodconsulting.co.uk